From July 8-13, 2026, the Alpha-1 Foundation (A1F) participated in Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax (ALAT) 19th Congress in Cartagena, Colombia. The ALAT Congress is the largest respiratory health event in Latin America. A1F staff raised Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) awareness by hosting an Alpha-1 ALAT Pre-Congress event and exhibiting at an informational booth. The Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax (ALAT) invited all American Thoracic Society (ATS) members to participate.
The conference kicked off on July 8 with the Pre-Congress event, including Alpha-1 physicians from Latin America. Key healthcare leaders from across Latin America came together for colloboation and presentations on the current landscape of Alpha-1 testing, treatment, and education throughout Latin America.
Hosted by Dr. Mariano Fernandez Acquier, of the Centro de Excelencia Alfa 1 Buenos Aires, the event featured representatives from Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica and United States each sharing the current successes, challenges, and opportunities within their country’s healthcare systems.
The interactive exchanges highlighted how diverse the patient experiences are for Alpha-1 testing, diagnosis and treatment across Latin America, and the need for continued commitment to ensure better access and education across the region.
After learning from one another through on panel, participants walked away with a renewed vigor to improve outcomes for individuals living with Alpha-1 and work to expand better treatment and access to care throughout Latin America.
One message resonated throughout the meeting, while each country faces unique challenges, A1F is united in commitment to ensure that more people across Latin America have access to timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the care they deserve.
A1F’s Global Program works tirelessly with patients and stakeholders to increase awareness, detection, and access to care for Alphas around the world.
To learn more about the Alpha-1 Global program, please contact Nadine Nuchovich, Clinical Research & Global Outreach Manager at nnuchovich@alpha1.org
